The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai has been urged by Concerned Nigerians not to deploy soldiers for the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States, OduNews.com reports.
The group made this known through a letter written by Humants activist, Deji Adeyanju, on behalf of the group
The letter dated October 31, 2019, and addressed to the army chief, stated, “This should mark a turning point for the Army to regain the trust of Nigerians.”
The group said that the Army’s constant involvement in the elections of Nigeria has continued to mar the reputation of the Nigerian Army. The group said, “For this singular reason, you once set up a panel to investigate the conduct of soldiers during the 2014 governorship election in which some officers were found wanting and sanctioned. We had expected that that singular action was going to stop the use of the army for elections. But it is never too late for our army to fully return to the path of professionalism and regain the trust of Nigerians.”
“As we approach the Kogi and Bayelsa states gubernatorial elections, we believe it is paramount to remind the Nigerian army that its involvement in the 2019 general elections left indelible scars in the hearts of most Nigerians.
He said the Army already has a lot of internal operations to fulfil and should therefore not be distracted with election assignments.
He said, “The police are adequately prepared to deploy officers for this election as they did during the general elections.”
